Natural Hair Update: I Finally Big Chopped!!

I big chopped and I’m glad the transition from relaxed hair to natural hair is finally over!

Surviving Hair Neglect

I was nearing 2 weeks post wash day right before we headed to Houston, Texas for my husband’s medical appointments. I really wanted to wash my hair before we left home but I simply ran out of time. Therefore, I took hair supplies with me, thinking I would wash my hair in the hotel. Wrong! Once we arrived in Houston, things took a turn pretty quickly and our 5 day stay turned into a 4 week stay.

I wore plaits the entire visit and looked a hot mess! Our days and nights were (and still are) stressful, thus hair was (and still is) the least of my worry. Therefore, my hair stayed dirty for about 6 weeks total. My scalp was irritated toward the end of our stay and I was hoping and praying that my hair didn’t fall out. However, I was prepared to deal with the consequences of hair neglect. Thankfully though, all was well.

Big Chop + Natural Hair

I was looking forward to returning home for multiple reasons, hair being one. My scalp needed relief. Once home, my excitement quickly shifted to frustration. Therefore, I looked in the mirror and thought, I’m tired of this (long term transition from relaxed hair to natural hair) and I’m ready to big chop.

My husband has been supportive since day 1 and has been encouraging me to big chop but I wasn’t quite ready. However, this moment was different. After all that we’d been through with his health, I couldn’t take another transitioning hair wash day. I started out thinking I’d just snip a few inches off this time and cut the rest next time but when I took out the scissors to get started, I was like what the heck, let’s do it! Therefore, I took the scissors to my hair and went to work!

Big Chop Hair + Relaxed Hair

Here’s a photo of the stringy pieces of relaxed hair that I removed.

Big Chop Photos + No Product In Hair

It was my long term plan to record my big chop and celebrate the moment but unfortunately, I didn’t feel up to it. Matter fact, my pictures are not even high quality. They are random photos I took on my cell phone. I will snap better pictures later when I have more time. Hubs and I are only home for a week before returning to Houston so time is really limited right now. The below photos are without product in my hair.

Related: How to Transition to Natural Hair with Minimal Breakage

Big Chop Photos + Product In Hair

The featured imaged of this post, also shown below, shows my hair with product. You’ll also notice some straight pieces of relaxed hair left behind. I was very conservative with where I cut my hair to preserve as much natural hair as I could. In doing so, I left behind some relaxed ends that I will just snip off as I run across them. I do, however, plan to let my stylist shape up my hair at some point, likely no time soon though.

Now What?

A donut bun of course until I figure out what to do with my hair and how to style it like a natural.

I Seriously Can’t Believe I’m Natural Now!

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Comments

Congratulations Jay, on your big chop. And I wish you the best with your husband’s treatments and future scans. One observation though-when you showed the pic of the cut off relaxed ends. You called them stringy. They may well be, but such description empowers, the natural hair nazis, cos it sounds like relaxed hair can’t be healthy! You showed everyone that it can,if taken care of. I’d have preferred if you just said relaxed ends, period. Pls don’t join the group that castigated relaxed hair, forgetting they were once relaxed! Having said that, I could tell you were so over the transition, with everything you had going on, and I’m glad you found a way to resolve it. Was your wash day much easier then? The post didn’t say.

Ammm I don’t there was ANYTHING wrong with her saying stringy pieces of relaxed hair! It looked stringy. It was just a descriptive word for goodness sakes. It sounds like you are getting some deeper meaning from what she was actually saying. I’m relaxed so im definitely not a ‘natural nazi’. Jay honey, there was nothing wrong with what you said! All the best to you and your husband. Will keep you in my prayers.

Congratulations Jay, on your big chop. And I wish you the best with your husband’s treatments and future scans. One observation though-when you showed the pic of the cut off relaxed ends. You called them stringy. They may well be, but such description empowers, the natural hair nazis, cos it sounds like relaxed hair can’t be healthy! You showed everyone that it can,if taken care of. I’d have preferred if you just said relaxed ends, period. Pls don’t join the group that castigated relaxed hair, forgetting they were once relaxed! Having said that, I could tell you were so over the transition, with everything you had going on, and I’m glad you found a way to resolve it. Was your wash day much easier then? The post didn’t say.

Wow! I am so excited for you! What a blessing that your husband has supported you all the way through your transition. As frustrating as I imagine transitioning is, that has to make things easier…to know that no matter, he sees how beautiful you are. I am praying for you both and congratulations on being 100% natural. Awesome! 🙂Candra Evans recently posted…Do I Put Tea Tree Oil In Shampoo

Most women find it difficult to chop off their hair. I must say, I am one of those women. What is important though is that you have a good support system that reassures you and supports your decision no matter what.Samantha recently posted…Best Chi Flat Iron Reviews

Congratulations on the BIG CHOP!
I know any other time this decision would have been a celebration. Until you are able to truly celebrate for yourself, we will celebrate for you! YAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Ruth